Rotterdam, Netherlands
Information for delegates
Attendance Certificates
Attendance certificates are available through the registration desk from Monday onwards.
Cloakroom
There is a free cloakroom in the entrance foyer. Opening times as follows:
Saturday 12:00-19:30
Sunday 08:00-21:30
Monday 08:00-19:15
Tuesday 08:00-12:45
Dress code
The dress code for the conference is smart casual.
For the Conference Dinner, buses depart immediately at the end of sessions and there is no requirement to wear evening dress.
Food and beverage
The following are included in the conference fee:
All coffee breaks
Lunch on Sunday and Monday
Welcome Reception on Saturday
Conference Dinner on Monday
In addition, all delegates are invited to attend the Alexion educational symposium on Sunday evening, which is followed by dinner in the Arcardia Zaal.
Learning Objectives and Continuing Medical Education (CME)
On completion of the meeting programme, the participant will have an enhanced understanding of a contemporary approach to clinical and basic paediatric bone science as related to:
· Inherited bone disorders
· Acquired bone disorders
· Bone therapeutics
· Bone diagnostics
· Fracture prevention
The conference has been approved for 18 CME credits by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME). EACCME credits are recognised by the American Medical Association.
Local information
Nearby ATM: Central Station
Nearest bank: Central Station
Nearest pharmacy: Medsen Apotheek, Westblaak 34
Name badges
Please wear your name badge at all times when you are in the Conference Centre.
Photography/Recording
You are respectfully requested not to take photos or recordings during sessions.
Registration desk opening times
Saturday 12:00-19:30
Sunday 08:00-19:00
Monday 08:00-19:00
Tuesday 08:00-13:00
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any area within the Conference Centre.
Valuables
You are reminded that you are responsible for your valuables and you should take care not to leave them unattended at any time.
WiFi
There is free WiFi throughout the Conference Centre.
General information about Rotterdam and the Netherlands
Weather
The Netherlands has a maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. Temperatures in June can range from 15-25 degrees centrigrade. You are advised to check the forecast before you travel.
Time Zone
The Netherlands is in the Central European Time Zone (CET):
- GMT+1 during Standard Time
- GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time
Electricity
Electricity in the Netherlands is: 220V, 50 Hz AC
Telephone
Country access code for the Netherlands is: +31
Area code for Rotterdam is: (0)10
To call a number in Rotterdam from abroad: Dail the international access code, followed by 31 (country access code for the Netherlands), then the area code 10 (omit the first zero) and the local number.
Language
Dutch; most people also speak English.
Visa
For a visit to the Netherlands up 90 days, tourists from nearly 60 countries only need a valid passport (including most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, and Japan). Nationals of most other countries need a Schengen visa, named after the Schengen Agreement that eliminated passport controls between 26 EU member states. A Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days is issued by Dutch embassies or consulates. To apply for a Schengen visa, you need a passport valid until at least three months after the visit, and you must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay. Fees vary depending on your nationality.
More info: www.government.nl
Currency
Like most other EU countries, the currency of the Netherlands is the euro. Notes come in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. There are coins for one, two, five, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and €1 and €2. The one- and two-cent coins are still in circulation, but most shops now round up or down to the nearest five cents. Note that not all shops will accept notes of €100, €200 or €500.
Payment Methods
The most common means of payment is cash. Most stores and restaurants also accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and sometimes American Express). Travellers’ cheques are often not accepted. Withdrawing money from an ATM is the cheapest way to exchange your money. You can also exchange money at banks and the GWK offices at Rotterdam Central Station or Rotterdam The Hague Airport.
Tipping
In the Netherlands the service charge and value added taxes are included in the price. A tip is seen as a way to compliment the service. It is common to tip 5 to 10% of the bill, except when the service is bad.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the Netherlands in offices, public buildings, restaurants and bars. Some restaurants and most bars have a special smoking area.
Free Wi-Fi Internet
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in the city centre of Rotterdam via Rotterdam Hotspots. Connect to the Rotterdam Hotspots Wi-Fi network for free internet access. The coverage of this network is best outdoors. In addition, city promotion centre ROTTERDAM.INFO and various hotels and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi internet, including the La Place restaurant in department store V&D (Hoogstraat 185), Bagel & Beans (Hoogstraat 129b), Bagel & Beans in bookstore Selexyz Donner (Lijnbaan 150), The Coffee Company (Eendrachtsplein 2) and McDonald's restaurants.
More info: www.rotterdamhotspots.nl
Opening hours
Most attractions are open daily throughout the year and opening hours may deviate on public holidays. Some museums are closed on Monday. Banks are open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (some on Saturdays) and are closed on public holidays. Opening hours of restaurants vary, but usually open for lunch from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and for dinner from 5:30pm - 11:00 pm (kitchen closes at 10:00 pm).
The shops in the city centre of Rotterdam are open seven days a week and also on public holidays, except on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, Pentecost Monday and Christmas Day.
General opening hours of shops:
Monday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday:12.00 pm - 6:00 pm
Emergency numbers and hospitals
Click here for details
Tourist Information centres
Click here for details
The Rotterdam App
The Rotterdam App is a free mobile application that highlights the very best that Rotterdam has to offer, from attractions and museums to hotels, restaurants, clubs and shops. This mobile city guide features 500+ locations, an offline city map, walking tours and a dynamic events calendar that lets you discover what to see and do. To download the Rotterdam App, go to m.rotterdam.info/download on your mobile phone or download it via the App Store or Google Play.